Chill out but keep fit during the cooler months

I was disappointed to hear that one of my favourite older adults has decided not to attend class for the next three months.

Apparently it is getting too chilly in the mornings and they have a bit of a cough.

Their family has said this must be from getting up and coming to the class so they have decided to give it a rest during the winter months.

Staying active is vitally important for every- one during winter but especially for older adults who are prone to sluggish cardiovascular and immune systems.

Winter, as we know, is the cough, cold and influenza season.

The bugs associated with these illnesses love the warmth of our cosy houses and snug beds.

Getting out of the house into some fresh air and going for a walk or participating in some other activity where you can elevate your heart rate, get your blood pumping and your lungs moving, can go a long way towards boosting your immune system and therefore assist in fighting off those unwelcome winter bugs.

Now this isn't to say if you have a temperature you should head off to your gym class and pump some weights or run on the treadmill.

In fact, if you are feeling like you've got something coming on, you are best off taking it easy as your body is most probably trying to fight off the culprits and your energy is best reserved for that task.

I'm also a great believer come mid-morning during winter in opening all the windows and airing the house for a few hours.

Germs don't like the fresh air.

Come mid-afternoon close the windows again.

Exercise and staying active are not hobbies and there is no need to stop and start them depending on the weather.

Obviously, if it's raining and you want to go for a walk you might prefer to find an indoor activity that day.

If it's chilly in the morning, make sure you wear a few layers so you can strip them off as your body gets warmer and put them back on as you get cooler.

If you find the morning chill makes you cough, then you might be better moving your activity to later when the temperature has increased or even wrapping a scarf around your throat and mouth so the air you breathe in is pre-warmed.

Exercise and staying active should be as habi- tual as brushing your teeth.

The benefits you will gain from doing something every day - even if it is only for 20 minutes - will far outweigh the losses from ceasing your exercising during the winter season.